When do you CZ?

[Pinkdiamondlove]

I've thought about it but I don't have any individual pieces of jewelry that are worth so much it would be worth an annual premium. My homeowner's policy carries a little jewelry coverage in case of theft and that's good enough.

While I was traveling years ago someone stole my $40 CZ studs--and left behind the pearl jewelry which was worth considerably more. So now I always travel with CZ.

Lol Nice!

 

[Clinn236]

It sounds like people appreciate other stones for a variety of reasons, and that's great! I appreciate all of the discussion and different points of view.

I have read that CZ can become cloudy over time, and that sapphire and topaz can get scratched up easily. Does anyone have experience with this? It sounds like people are mainly using these stones for items that will not necessarily be "everyday" pieces, so maybe this isn't as big of an issue in that case.

 

[Alena21]

Sapphires are almost as hard as diamonds so they can't get scratched easily.

 

[mistikat]

Topaz is pretty hard; 8 on the Mohs Scale. You might want to check that to see the durability of various stones.

 

[Clinn236]

Sapphires are almost as hard as diamonds so they can't get scratched easily.

Topaz is pretty hard; 8 on the Mohs Scale. You might want to check that to see the durability of various stones.

Thank you for this. I did check the MOHS scale but I had also read some articles comparing white stones that mentioned that these can become scratched. I know that for example sapphire is 9 and diamond is 10, but I wasn't really sure how big that difference really is after reading those articles.

 

[foxgal]

Thank you for this. I did check the MOHS scale but I had also read some articles comparing white stones that mentioned that these can become scratched. I know that for example sapphire is 9 and diamond is 10, but I wasn't really sure how big that difference really is after reading those articles.

Can't speak for CZ, but I have a lab-created sapphire (chemically identical to mined) that I have worn in a ring 24/7 for several years, and there is no visible scratching. Also have lab-created created "diamonds" earrings by Diamanti by Quorri and they are more sparkly after years of use than my "real" mined diamonds.

 

[BigPurseSue]

The legendary hardness of diamonds is I think over-vaunted. When I took my engagement ring in to a jeweler to be reset I was told that often when women bring in rings they've worn for 25-30 years the diamonds can't or shouldn't be reset because they're scratched or chipped from years of everyday wear, and the women don't realize it.

I have a diamond ring in which two of the diamonds are damaged. One is cracked. Another scratched. I have no idea how that happened. The prongs are set high. Maybe I was lifting something heavy or banged my hand against something? They look dreadful.

As for CZ... I've heard that it's porous and that's why it eventually clouds. Though none of the CZ I have--and I have a lot of it from different sources, from dept. stores, cable shopping, even Walmart--has ever clouded. And some of it is 20 years old. Even the cheap $5 CZ earrings in tin settings haven't clouded.

CZ does get dirty and if you have it in a ring you need to clean it nearly every time you wear it to keep it sparkling. Otherwise oil from your hands will make it look dull. Don't have to do that with diamonds. They'll sparkle through dirt. That's why I like having a diamond engagement ring. With earrings I'm not so fussy.

I have a few topaz rings I wear a lot. Don't know if any of them are scratched, but one did break during gentle wear. The stone was pear-shaped and the unprotected tip broke off.

 

[Wamgurl]

To CZ or not is all about the image you want to portray to the world. If you wear CZ, your image is that you wear fake stuff and try to pass it as real. That is the only reason why someone would buy CZ. If you are ok with that image, then go for it.

For me, I don't do fake anything. If I cannot afford a specific piece I want, I would never go fake with CZ. Just my two cents.

Not everything is about 'image' - maybe there are people that can't afford the real thing but appreciate the 'look' of CZ. It's about what makes you happy. Not everyone buys replicas or fakes to pass them off as real....

 

[blackmonster]

This thread was an interesting read.... seems the answer depends on the wearer. I have a few small stone CZ pieces for different reasons... because my other jewelry is not costume, my friends assume the CZ pieces are real - I have no shame in telling people they are CZ. There are a few companies that offer nice pieces, at different price points... purchase and wear what ever makes you happy

 

[Clinn236]

The legendary hardness of diamonds is I think over-vaunted. When I took my engagement ring in to a jeweler to be reset I was told that often when women bring in rings they've worn for 25-30 years the diamonds can't or shouldn't be reset because they're scratched or chipped from years of everyday wear, and the women don't realize it.

I have a diamond ring in which two of the diamonds are damaged. One is cracked. Another scratched. I have no idea how that happened. The prongs are set high. Maybe I was lifting something heavy or banged my hand against something? They look dreadful.

As for CZ... I've heard that it's porous and that's why it eventually clouds. Though none of the CZ I have--and I have a lot of it from different sources, from dept. stores, cable shopping, even Walmart--has ever clouded. And some of it is 20 years old. Even the cheap $5 CZ earrings in tin settings haven't clouded.

CZ does get dirty and if you have it in a ring you need to clean it nearly every time you wear it to keep it sparkling. Otherwise oil from your hands will make it look dull. Don't have to do that with diamonds. They'll sparkle through dirt. That's why I like having a diamond engagement ring. With earrings I'm not so fussy.

I have a few topaz rings I wear a lot. Don't know if any of them are scratched, but one did break during gentle wear. The stone was pear-shaped and the unprotected tip broke off.

THANK YOU @BigPurseSue, this is exactly the kind of information I was looking for!

This has been such a fun discussion and I really appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts!

 

[skyqueen]

I own 50K diamond studs and $60 Swarovski Bella drop earrings (in clear and blue)...love them both for different reasons and looks. I look at this like I look at real fur vs faux fur. I don;t wear real fur anymore and have invested in good quality faux fur coats and couldn't be happier.
Whatever rocks your boat!

 

[JenW]

ITA ^

I don't wear real fur anymore, and I know plenty of women who don't wear diamonds for the same reasons.

Re clouding, I have CZ pieces that date back to 1978-ish (from when CZ was first being used in jewelry, IIRC) and some newer, from different sources, and none have clouded. Treat them like gemstones : don't get perfume, lotion, or ammonia on them.

 

[Bambieee]

Welp, I remember in this forum when I wore CZ stud earrings for every day and was grappling with the ethics of diamonds. I sold em all. I have a Pandora charm necklace that I put together myself and that's as far as it goes with CZ these days. My only gripe is that it doesn't sparkle like my Diamond and Moissanite earrings. Blah. But yeah, I'm mixing both at the moment, screw it! I just bought a brand new pre-owned Swarovski tennis bracelet second hand because it looks so unique and I want to wear it every day without feeling weird walking the street or riding the metro.